“Today, Governor Baker proposed funding the Massachusetts Cultural Council (Mass Cultural Council) at $16.1 million, which is the same level as last year’s allocation. Given the powerful impact that art, culture, and creativity have on our communities, we will continue to advocate for the previously requested $18 million.
“Nonprofit creative organizations drive the state’s local economies from Boston to the Berkshires and every rural and coastal region in between. They generate over $2.3 billion dollars in economic activity annually, including $97 million in local and state tax revenue. They also support 73,000 full-time equivalent jobs.
“The requested $2 million increase will fund arts, humanities, and science programs for underserved youth and the 329 Local Cultural Councils located throughout the state. Last year, these councils helped fund approximately 6,000 projects that connected communities and residents throughout the state. Mass Cultural Council grantees also provided creative youth development and educational opportunities to 102,403 students.
“None of these benefits to our communities and young people occur incidentally. We reap them when we deliberately choose to invest in artists, cultural organizations, and arts education. We look forward to working with members of the House and Senate as the FY2020 budget process proceeds.”
###
MASSCreative works with artists, cultural councils, arts organizations and the broader creative community to build a Commonwealth where arts and creativity are an expected, recognized, and valued part of everyday life. Working with our coalition of 400 arts and cultural organizations and artists from across the Commonwealth, MASSCreative uses public education and awareness, grassroots organizing, advocacy campaigns, and other civic and political engagement to ensure that arts, culture, and creativity are considered when important policy and political decisions get made at the state and local level.
